The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-07-14

serious casualty, as the lost limbs are
speedily reproduced. Shortly after such
a loss bud protrudes from the stump; at
greater interval the missing member is
completely reproduced, though doubled
upon itself and encased in stout mem
brane instead of shell, and later still the
membrane is cast aside with the remain
der of the shell, and when new armor is
assumed the new limb is also encased in a
mail, and, though smaller than the other
limbs, is serviceable. 1t increases in size
also at each succeeding change of coat
until no difference is observable between
it and the other extremities. The bene
fits of this striking example is the Wis
medicatrix naturoe do not extend to the
eyes or the poster1or limbs, but have
no other limit, and the writer has seen
living and healthy crab deprived of all
means of locomotion or defense except his
propellers and jaws. In this instance the
missing limbs and claws were be-
ing reproduced. The readiness with which
such creatures cast off their members to
avoid capture, or even in some cases, when
greatly alarmed, is thus to be accounted
for.
The process of shedding, through which
the crab passes periodically, Is difficult to
describe clearly, and is by no means easy,
apparently, for the crab to accomplish.
The Simplest acrobat would stand aghast
if commanded to uubuttou his suspenders
and then back out of his clothes at the
opening between the top of his panta-
looms and the bottom of the back of his
vest, but this is pretty much what the crab
does, and he, moreover, draws his forearm
through two openings in succession, that
are very much smaller than the arm at its
largest part. Even the outer covering of
the eyes and the antenue are cast off in
this manner. Prior to this change the
creature accumulates large amount of
fat, as 1T is called, whether correctly or
not, very necessary provision, as
for several days after shedding he
is utterly helpless and will
lie still, while he must fast, like an old
gourmand whose over indulgence in the
pleasure of the table has ruined his diges-
ton. Another great necessity must also
be provided for, since a new she'll must be
constructed. To provide for this con-
tingency, a gelatinous carbonate of lime
is secreted by the animal, and is generally
to he found in the cavity, near and in the
rear of the stomach, in the form of two
oblong and slightly rounded masses, in
the adult about five-eightl of an inch in
length, one-half of an inch wide and one
fourth of au inch thick. These are alb
sorbed as the shell begins to form, and
disappear when it has hardened. Every
lover OF soft crabs has probably observed
and wondered at the decidedly acid flavor
of his favorite delicacy. 1t is the writer's
theory that this acid plays an important
part in the solution of the masses of gela-
tinous carbonate of lime, already men
toned, and that chemical analysis would
demonstrate this beyond question.
Tennyson has sung of natures care for
the type and her indifference to the fate
of single life, and this is strikinsly evinced
in this portion of the existence of our
humble, but toothsome friend. If a male
he finds himself at this period of his life,
helpless and naked as he is, In a world
swarming with enemies that are eager to
prey upon him. The veriest minnow
may gnaw him with impunity, man seeks
him as dainty morsel, and his own breth-
rem will eat him on sight. Obscurity is
his only refuge except the comparative
safety afforded by his appearance, which
very closely resembles that of a crab
armed at all points and practically invul-
nerable to all attacks. The females arc
better cared for; in fact, are absolutely
safe except from human enemies. At
this period they pair, and each female
soft crab is accompanied by hard -shelled
mate, who guards her against all attacks
until her shell has hardened. The
writer has found them paired thus in
innumerable instances, the female
general hidden from sight in an excava-
ton in the mud or sand, the male above
clinging to his mate and displaying the |
utmost vigilance and ferocity. During
several years of close observation the |
writer has never noticed an exception to !
the foregoing statement but invariably
found the male soft crab alone and the fe- |
male with companion.
The shell, as has been stated, hands
rapidly, and few days finds our hero or
heroine arrayed in all the panoply of
war. His muscles, however, are shrunken
and placid from his long fast
Some of the observations recorded here
the writer has never seen in print, though
they may be we'll known to the scientific
world. 1t is with little hope of throwing
any new light upon the habits of the
crab that this article is written. Its
principle object is to direct the attention
Of the seaside visitor to one of the many
wonders of the ocean that might other
wise be passed unheeded, though it would
we'll repay the closest investigation.